While U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not officially confirmed a change in policy or practice, Canadian nationals applying for L-1 readmission at various Canadian ports of entry are not being allowed to renew their L-1s under the North American Free Trade Agreement. Instead, they are being told that they must have an approved I-129 petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Under NAFTA, Canadian nationals have been authorized to appear at Canadian border U.S. ports of entry or Canadian pre-clearance airports to apply for a renewed or extended L-1 without first obtaining an approved USCIS petition.
Key points:
- Reports of refusals are coming from various Canadian ports of entry and pre-clearance airports.
- The reports of refusals are from both Canadian L-1 blanket and individual L-1 petition-based applicants.
- When providing a reason for the refusals, CBP officers are advising that despite prior agency practice to the contrary, a separate legal provision applies to L-1 “extensions” and that therefore these cases need to be requested by filing Form I-129 with USCIS.
BAL Analysis: Despite the lack of a formal agency policy letter or advisory, individuals are being rejected at the ports of entry. There are strong legal arguments that Canadian L-1s presenting at U.S. ports of entry are not seeking extensions and therefore the regulations cited by CBP officials do not apply to them. Nevertheless, employers and Canadian L-1 applicants should be aware of the situation and should work closely with their BAL professional to determine the best method for renewing their L-1.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
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